logging iv

[orangetoughguy]

welcome home

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[orangetoughguy]

You don't think so? [Om nom nom. The battle ain't over, Larry Dimick, just you wait. Freddy shakes his head.] Over the counter painkillers, I gotta come back if I get a fever.

[Because that would mean an infection but so far so good.]

[whitetwoguns]

[While he's optimistic, he's not a fool. Boy oh boy do the acting skills but a man at ease though, kid.]

Oh yeah? That's great!

[That sounds like practically healed in his book. Larry goes to the fridge, scrounging for a beer.]

Well, one sandwich won't kill you.

[orangetoughguy]

A sandwich you picked up on the way to your date with El Ray.

[Ray Rey. Whatever he goes by or whatever Larry has taken to calling him.]

Or was it on your way back?

[whitetwoguns]

C'mon, it wasn't a fucking date.

[A look over the open appliance door at him sure says he wasn't expecting that.]

He recommended the place.

[Glasses clink as he grabs one.]

Doc say you can drink?

[orangetoughguy]

Before or after?

[Casual question. A freckled hand makes a grabby motion indicating he wants a beer too. Look Larry you've known Freddy for how long by now? This is the kid showing an amount of restraint.]

[whitetwoguns]

We ate. I got you your sandwich after. No sense it getting it at the same time. It wouldn't be as good.

[Common sense. Where is he going with this? The old man brings over the beer. Freddy's gets plunked down first. The old man takes his own.]

[orangetoughguy]

[You're playing this real subtle, old man, real subtle. But the kid thinks you know he's not pleased with the luncheon date what the fuck ever. Freddy takes a generous gulp of his beer. Plunk back down.]

Why'd you go without me? To see him?

[whitetwoguns]

Fuck me, I didn't leave today with a planned out lunch. I thought I might see our buddy. Might. I wanted to get the fuck out. You had an appointment. I didn't have no reason to say no because what if Ray had someone watching. Then what?

[Then it looks like the old man doesn't want his company or anything. Grand. He takes a long drink like it will wash away some of what he's got in his brain and in his throat.]

[orangetoughguy]

[Sandwich and drink down means he can flap his hands.]

You could have gone somewhere else. I can't believe you walked right into his hands. You're right what if someone was watching, what if he had that big tall fuckhead with him? You didn't have to go that way did you?

[whitetwoguns]

Okay. So I didn't have to. But I did.

[Flapping, drinking and eating right there.]

I didn't think any harm in it. We're not on his shit list. You wanted to go to the hospital alone. I wasn't sure about it at first.

[orangetoughguy]

Why did you?

[If not to seek out the guy in a more passive way by putting himself out in the open to get noticed. Freddy waves his hand.]

I saw a doctor, you saw a fucking gangster, it's not the same thing.

[whitetwoguns]

He can get us money, Freddy. And get it to us faster. I also think he is a ticket to security. Did I go on and suck his dick to get in good favor? No. Just the same as I didn't put it on my to do list to go have a meal. If I saw him, then I saw him. That's what I figured.

[Why does it all have to sound guilty? He sighs and gives his chin a rub.]

You're coming along next time, believe me.

[orangetoughguy]

I don't have to believe you because I'm gonna make it happen when it happens.

[Freddy insists, satisfied with his intuition. He just knew the old man was setting himself up for another opportunity. Years after they met Freddy's accepted that Lawrence Dimick is an opportunist. Freddy Newendyke is too, just lawfully so.]

[whitetwoguns]

Next time it'll be on your terms.

[There you go. Hands spread like he's presenting the fact to the air.]

We didn't talk about anything that important. The football or soccer team that's local may as well be tripping over their own balls. The weather's good. Dumb shit. He asked where you were, I said you were taking up some time on your own.

[orangetoughguy]

[That's better. His fox hide is soothed by the very motion (almost like a bear's surrender).]

Did you tell him why? Make something up? He can't go on thinking I'm just a... ["Piece of ass." is what Freddy wants to say.] A tool or something. We don't split even when we're split up.

[....Right?]

[whitetwoguns]

[He doesn't speak immediately. Drinking is the physical reason. The other is wondering when he was okay with rolling over. The things you do for peace. And peace is pretty important, Dimmy. The two of you are the biggest asset.]

I told him because he asked.

[Shrug.]

I mean, he didn't ask if you hop on my dick.

[Right now the answer would be no anyway.]

[orangetoughguy]

[That's the power of a fox one supposes. Who knew a little(r) guy like Freddy could make a big(ger) guy like Larry roll over.]

Right.....okay.

[Freddy begrudgingly accepts the answer and sips.] We're in this together, okay? No long ranger solo crap.

[whitetwoguns]

It was one lunch.

[Feeble protest? Maybe. But at least it isn't showing the full force of how much it rubs him wrong to hear it.]

I'm not cutting it out on my own, understand?

[Aw man, is this beer over already?]

[orangetoughguy]

Is there gonna be a second lunch?

[One with Freddy this time. He asks only because he takes Ray Rey for the type to propose one and Larry for the type not to turn down an opportunity from which they could benefit.]

[whitetwoguns]

'Let's do this again sometime' isn't binding.

[Casual, easy.]

You want a second lunch, the'll be a second lunch. And you're gonna be right there. This mean you want me at the next appointment?

[orangetoughguy]

Sure. I'll be there.

[Wait wat.]

No. I don't need you at the next appointment. He's a doctor, he's a gangster. There's a difference.

[He says for the second time throughout this conversation. Make no mistake, he knows what you're getting at, old man.]

Do you wanna be there? Get your prostate looked at while we're at it?

[whitetwoguns]

A big difference, sure. But he's small time gangster or not. There're are bigger fish than him, badder ones.

[Did they even discuss that fact? Larry pushes off from the counter top to toss empty beer container. He doesn't appreciate Freddy's joke.]

No.

[Clipped, sour. Grumble, grumble.]

[orangetoughguy]

I'm a cop. [Was a cop.] I'm aware of that.

[Freddy says with regards to there being worse than El Rey. True, they could have done better or far far worse. Ah but that clipped sour grumbling piques a fox's curiosity. His attention hyperfocuses on the old man's tone.]

What? What's wrong.

[The kid dares to ask.]

[whitetwoguns]

[The detective instinct or cop sense will never quit. It didn't when he was a mechanic. Now that they're back in their own neck of existence with very real threats around them it is a part of life. Knowing it as well as he does, it rubs wrong.

Everything is rubbing wrong.]

On second thought might not be a bad idea. I'd get something out of it.

[To the fridge he goes for one more beer.]

[orangetoughguy]

[What did you say, old man, what did you say.]

What's that supposed to mean.

[Freddy doesn't ask but demands...around the last bite of his sandwich. Practically inhaled the stuff.]